NMR Flow Cell Valve Arrangement for Rapid Sample Purging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NMR spectrometer systems face challenges in achieving fast and cost-effective sample classification due to lengthy sample preparation and transfer times, inadequate cleaning procedures, and limited functionality, which hinder high-throughput sampling and quality of spectra.
Innovation Solution
A system with a valve arrangement that allows for decoupling of the sample loop and flow cell from fluid lines, enabling simultaneous sample transfer, measurement, and cleaning, using a pump and pressurized gas for efficient sample handling and minimizing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If direct sample transfer in flow cell is used, then time and costs are saved by omission of conventional NMR sample tubes, but sample preparation and transfer times are excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills a sample loop with the next sample while the current sample is being measured in the flow cell. This preliminary action allows the next sample to be ready for immediate transfer once the measurement is complete, eliminating sequential waiting time and enabling continuous high-throughput operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement enables continuous operation by maintaining fluid flow paths throughout the system. While one sample is being measured, the system continuously prepares the next sample in the loop and cleans transfer lines in parallel, ensuring no idle time occurs between measurements and maximizing productivity.
2Reliability
If sequential sample transfer is used, then system complexity is reduced, but washing and cleaning between samples is not possible leading to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid handling into separate functional segments: a sample loop for sample storage, a flow cell for measurement, and dedicated cleaning paths. The valve arrangement selectively connects different segments to appropriate functions (sample transfer, measurement, or cleaning), allowing independent optimization of each segment for its specific purpose while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-way valve arrangement acts as an intermediary that directs fluid flow between different paths. It mediates between the sample loop, flow cell, and cleaning lines, routing samples to measurement and directing cleaning solutions to appropriate segments. This intermediary control enables complex cleaning sequences without requiring complex physical reconfiguration of the system.
3Reliability
If complete flow path cleaning is implemented, then contamination is prevented, but cycle time increases beyond acceptable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system applies local quality by directing cleaning actions only to the specific segments that require it. The valve arrangement enables selective cleaning of the cannula, transfer lines, and flow cell independently. This localized approach maintains spectral quality by cleaning only where contamination occurs while minimizing overall cleaning time by avoiding unnecessary cleaning of already-clean segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning of transfer lines and the cannula while the flow cell is still occupied with a sample measurement. By preparing the cleaning paths in advance during idle time, the actual cleaning of measurement-critical components can be completed quickly without extending the measurement cycle, thus maintaining both spectral quality and throughput.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables a cycle time of less than one minute for sample preparation, transfer, measurement, and cleaning, significantly increasing sample throughput while maintaining high-quality spectra and minimizing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a pump device (7) for pumping system liquid S into the system
Implementation Method 2
a pressurized gas supply (8) which is connectable in fluid-conducting fashion to the flow cell (2) for the purposes of ejecting the liquid test sample P1 by purging
Data Source
AI summary
A system including an NMR spectrometer (1) with a flow cell (2) analyzing a first liquid test sample (P1), a distributing device (3) with a multi-way valve, plural assemblies interconnected via fluid lines through the distributing device, a cannula (5) taking test samples from a storage vessel (5a), a sample loop (6) temporarily storing a further test sample (P2), and a pump device (7) pumping liquid (S) into the system. The valve arrangement a) decouples the sample loop with the temporarily stored further test sample and, simultaneously, b) decouples the flow cell with the first test sample from all fluid lines to the distributing device; and c) connects the cannula to the pump device for a simultaneous purging step or to the flow cell for removing the first test sample into a receiving vessel (5b; 5c) or to the sample loop for receiving a subsequent test sample.